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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Geometry
Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
Reference Geometry
Create and modify reference planes, axes, or points.
Create a Reference Axis

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Discover new features and enhancements.
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Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
- Construction History
  View and edit the construction history of your model.
- Variables
  Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
- Global References
  Global references are the global origin, axes, and planes shown in the modeling window. They can be helpful when creating and defining your model.
- Sketching
  Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
- Geometry
  Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
  - Reference Geometry
    Create and modify reference planes, axes, or points.
  - Extrude
    Extrude profiles or 2D surfaces in one or two directions to create solids or 3D surfaces with optional end caps. Create a new part or combine, merge, subtract, or intersect the extruded shape with existing parts.
  - Revolve
    Revolve one or more faces, sketches, lines, or 2D edges about an axis.
  - Extract
    Extract selected geometry features and transfer them to a new part.
  - Sweep
    Sweep a profile along a path to create a solid or surface. Create a new part or combine, subtract, or intersect the swept shape with existing parts.
  - Multi Sweep
    Sweep multiple profiles along a path to create a solid or surface. Create a new part or combine, subtract, or intersect the swept shape with existing parts.
  - Pipe
    Create a pipe along one or more edges/lines. The pipe has a uniform cross section that can be circular, square, rectangular, or triangular.
  - Loft
    Create a solid loft or a lofted surface from profiles and guide curves. Create a new part from the loft or combine, subtract, or intersect the loft with existing parts.
  - Patch
    Fill in a missing surface.
  - Pattern
    Create a linear or circular pattern of parts or faces.
  - Mirror
    Mirror parts across a symmetry plane.
  - Rib
    Extrude rib geometry from a sketch to stiffen your model. You can select an arc, curve, straight line, or curved surface.
  - NURBS Curve
    Create a NURBS curve, which is a free-form curve.
  - Blend Curve
    Create a free-form curve that blends into one or more existing curves, surfaces, or edges.
  - Offset Curve
    Create a copy of one or more curves at a specified distance from the source curves. This tool can be used on both 2D and 3D curves.
  - Helix Curve
    Create a helix (or a spiral if the top and bottom radii are different).
  - Extend Curve
    Extend a curve and modify the shape of the extension.
  - Face Curve
    Extract curves from a face in the U or V direction. This is useful for creating trim curves that run along a face.
  - Divide Curve
  - Intersect Curves
    Split intersecting curves or wire bodies into several curves.
  - Simplify Curves
    Simplify one or more curves by changing the number of control points and inverting their sequence, joining multiple curves, or by applying an arc length parametrization.
  - From Surface Intersection
    Extract curves from the intersection of two surfaces.
  - Boolean
    Create a new part by using one set of solids to edit another set of solids.
  - Fillets
    Create fillets or chamfers along an edge.
  - Trim/Split
    Remove part of a surface or solid by projecting a profile curve onto it. Or use a set of tool surfaces to split a set of target surfaces.
  - Slice
    Slice a set of solid objects with a cutting plane or surfaces.
  - Intersect
    Retain only the intersecting portions of one or more parts.
  - Shell
    Remove material and create thin walls to generate a shelled part.
  - Draft
    Add draft to one or more faces of a part.
  - Push/Pull
    Push, pull, or revolve a face, sketch, line, or 2D edge to extrude it into a solid or surface, create or resize a hole, eliminate rounds, or modify wall thickness.
  - Extend Surface
    Extend a surface along one or more edges. You can extend the surface to a curve or another surface.
  - Offset
    Offset surfaces or parts, thicken surface parts and convert them to solids, or thicken and hollow solid parts.
  - Move Faces
    Translate, rotate, copy, or extend features.
  - Partition
    Divide a solid part into design and non-design regions by selecting a hole, pocket, or face to offset.
  - Simplify
    Clean up problem areas in the geometry of a model before running an analysis.
  - Delete Faces
    Delete faces from solid or sheet parts.
  - Close Holes
    Use the Close Holes tool to fill in missing surfaces, or to remake bad or problematic surfaces.
  - Midsurface
    Extract a midsurface or side faces from thin solids, and determine where surfaces are represented.
  - Scale
    Resize parts in your model, which is useful when working with an imported model that is associated with a different default unit system.
  - Tags
    Assign or query tags (metadata) that can be associated with one or more entities in a model.
  - Deform
    Twist, bend, taper, shear, or stretch parts within a specified region (deformation zone).
  - Part Instances
    A part instance creates a copy of the part that is linked to the original part. When the original part is updated, the instance is automatically updated as well.
  - Replace Geometry
    Replace a part in your model with an alternative design.
- PolyMesh
  Create polymesh objects from other types of geometry and results.
- PolyNURBS
  Create free-form solid geometry that is smooth and continuous.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Create a Reference Axis

Reference planes can be used with the Sketch, Slice, and Mirror tools to create or modify geometry, or to create section cuts.

On the Geometry ribbon, select the Reference Axis tool.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
In the guide bar, choose an axis creation method from the dropdown menu.

Previews for axes based on the selected option will appear as you move your cursor in the modelling window.

Follow the directions in the workflow help text underneath the guide bar to define the axis.

What you need to select in the modeling window varies based on the axis creation method you chose in the previous step.

Method	What to Select
Through Cylinder	Select a cylindrical face.
Through Two Points	Select two points.
Through Edge	Select a straight edge.
Through Two Planes	Select two non-parallel planes or planar faces.
Normal to Face at a Point	Select a planar face and a point.

Click Apply on the guide bar or microdialog.

The axis is created in the modeling area and is also available in the Model Browser’s References directory.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Tip:
- Once a reference axis is placed, it cannot be moved.
- To resize a reference axis, select an endpoint of the axis and drag it.

Video: Reference Axes

Through Cylinder

Through Two Points

Through Edge

Through Two Planes

Normal to Face at Point